Separable connecter means



Nov. 15, 1938. H. BLEIBTREU SEPARABLE CONNECTER MEANS Filed 0G11. 19, 1955 Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Herman Bleibtreu, Darmstadt, Germany,

or to Freyn Engineering Company, Chicago,

a corporation of Maine assign- Ill.,

Application October 19, 1935, Serial'No. 45,703

11 Claims. (Cl. 173-363) The present invention relates to separable connecter means.

` In connection with electrical devices drawing heavy current it is desirable in many instances to provide readily separable connecter means between the current drawing deviceand one or more of the electrical conductors carrying the current for said device. Devices have been known and used for the purpose which comprise an elongated stud adapted to fit more or less closely within a cylindrical hole, the stud being mounted in a handle by means of which the device may be manipulated. Some of the devices referred to have employed a stud split longitudinally and have been capable of a certain amount of springing movement about an imaginary axis, or axes7 disposed transversely of the elongated stud. Such devices have left much to be desired in the way ofproviding good electrical Contact between the elongated stud and the wall of the cylindrical hole into which said stud is intended to fit.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved separable connecter means involving an elongated stud having a fulcrum disposed lengthwise of said stud, whereby circumferential torsional stresses in the studA may be utilized for providing good electrical connection between said stud and the member into which it ts.

A further object is to provide an improved separable connecter adapted to t into a cylindrical hole having means for setting up circumferential stresses and a wedging action for assuring eicient contact between said connecter and the wall of said cylindrical hole.

A further object is to provide a separable connecter employing an elongated stud adapted to t within a cylindrical hole, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is efficient in service. Y

A further object is to provide an improved separable connecter well adapted to meet the needs of commercial service.

Further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing- Figure 1 is an exploded View showing a separable connecter and a receptacle within which said connecter is adapted to t;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure l but with the separable connecter and its receptacle disposed in operative relationship with each other;

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 5a is a sectional view similar to Figure 5 but showing a construction which may be preferred where heavy sections oi metal are involved and resistance to circumferential torsional stresses may be high;

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure` '7 is a sectional view illustrating a modied construction of the separable connecter;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 8--3 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 'l but illustrating another modication;

Figure l0 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows Illl0 of Figure 9; n

Figure l1 is a view similar to Figures 7 and 9 but illustrating a still further modification; and

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the arrows I2-I2 oi Figure l1.

Referring first to the form of the invention illustrated in Figures l to 6, inclusive, the numeral 20 illustrates a separable connecter, and the numeral 2l indicates a receptacle for receiving the separable connecter 20. The separable connecter 20 includes the hand grip 22 of insulating material, which hand grip is provided with an axial bore for receiving the elongated stud 23, one end of which is electrically connected to the conductor 23a. Said stud 23 has a portion extending beyond the hand grip and 3 adapted to nt within a cylindrical aperture of the electrically conductive member 2li, which member 24 is electrically connected to the conductor 24a. and may be rigidly mounted in the receptacle 2 I, by any preferred means, in a location to receive the projecting end of the stud 23.

The outer extremity of the member 24 may be flared, as indicated by the numeral 257 and the cooperating end of the stud 23 may be rounded oil, as indicated by the numeral 2E, whereby the stud 23 may be readily piloted into the apertured member 24. The innermost portion of the stud 23 may fit more or less closely within the bore of the hand grip 22, and the innermost end of said stud 23 may be provided with the shoulder 50 21 adapted to abut longitudinally against a cooperating shoulder of the hand grip 22. Said stud 23 at the region adjacent to the outer end of the hand grip 22 may be screw-threaded for the reception of the nut 28 adapted to abut 55 against a cooperating shoulder` of the hand grip 22 to hold the stud 23 against longitudinal movement relative to the hand grip 22. A lock nut 29 may be provided for locking the nut 23. The shoulder 2"! of the stud 23 may be provided with the flat portion 30 cooperating with a correspending hat portion of the hand grip 22 to prevent the stud 23 from turning relative to the hand grip 22.

The end of the stud 23 projecting beyond the hand grip 22 is slotted longitudinally. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the slot in the extremity of the stud 23 is V-shaped, as indicated by the numeral 3|. Though a V-shaped slot is probably preferable from a manufacturing standpoint, the conformation of the slot may be chosen as desired. The projecting extremity of the stud 23 is slit, as indicated by the numeral 32, which slit communicates with the slot 3|. Said slot 3| and the slit 32 provide two bifurcations 33-33 in the projecting extremity of the stud 23, which bifurcations are spaced apart slightly. If preferred, the slit 32 may be displaced from a position symmetrical with a diameter of the stud, whereby one of the bifurcations 33-33 is less resistant to circumferential torsional stresses than is the other. This construction is illustrated in Figure 5.

Disposed within the slot 3| is the fulcrum member 34, which, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures l to 6, inclusive, takes the form of a wedge, though other forms of fulcrum member 34 may be chosen if desired. Said fulcrum member 34 is held against longitudinal movement relative to the stud 23 by means of the pin 35, which lies within a corresponding hole in the stud 23. Said fulcrum 34 extends into the holes provided by the nuts 2B and 29 and is thereby held in position longitudinally of the separable connecter so that it cannot accidentally work its way loose from the separable connecter.

The diameter of the projecting portion of the stud 23 under normal conditions, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, should preferably be slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical aperture into which it is adapted to fit. When it is desired to insert the separable connecter into the receptacle 2|, the projecting end of the stud 23 will be inserted into the member 24, said stud 23 being piloted into position by reason of the ared opening 25 of the member 24 and the rounded extremity 26 of the stud 23. By reason of the fact that the diameter of the projecting portion of the stud 23 is slightly greater than the hole into which it is to it, it will be necessary to set up stresses in the bifurcations 33-33 to permit entry of the stud 23 into the member 24. According to the principles of the present invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the bifurcations 33-33 will have circumferential torsional stresses set up therein, the fulcrum 34 operating as an abutment to insure Said circumferential torsional stresses, the result being an efficient contact between the outer walls of said bifurcations 33-33 and the cooperating cylindrical wall of the member 24 as the separable connecter 2U is moved into the receptacle 2|. The separable connecter 20 may be removed from the receptacle 2| by a simple pulling movement. In the event that the bifurcations 33-33 have become Ydistorted in service due to rough handling, or

other cause, and have been crushed together, the wedge-shaped fulcrum 34 will operate with a wedging action to move said bifurcations to their proper operative positions as the stud 23 of the connecter 20 is inserted into the member 24 of the receptacle 2|.

Figure 5a illustrates a construction which will be found advantageous when connecters of large size are required. In said figure a slit 32a is provided along a chord of the stud and normal to said slit, and communicating with it is the wedgeshaped slot 3|a. Said slit 32a and said slot 3|a provide the bifurcations 33af-33a and the segment 33h. 'Ihe wedge-shaped fulcrum 34a is located between the bifurcations 33e-33a. Said bifurcations 330i- 33a may have a sufl'ciently low resistance to circumferential torsional stresses to permit the ready manipulation of the device. The chord defining the segment 33h will of course be chosen of a length equal to or less than the diameter of the cylindrical hole in the member 24, so that the stud may be inserted without difficulty into its receptacle.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 7 and 8 employs a stud 40, the projecting portion of which is split to provide the bifurcations 4|4| separated slightly by the slit 42. A notch, indicated by the numeral 43, is provided communicating with the cylindrical surface of the stud 4| and with said slit 42. In said notch is located the wedge-shaped fulcrum member 44. Said fulcrum member 44 is wedge-shaped in both longitudinal section and transverse section, as illustrated in Figures 'I and 8, respectively. 'I'he notch 43 decreases in depth progressively from a region adjacent to the outer extremity of the stud to a region adjacent to the hand grip 22. Said Wedge-shaped fulcrum member 44 is urged outwardly by means of the spring 45 against the shoulder 45a, and is provided with a shoulder 46 adapted to abut against a cooperating portion of the hand grip 22 to prevent loss of said wedgeshaped fulcrum 44. It will be understood, of course, that the spring 45 may be omitted if preferred. The outer surface of the wedge-shaped fulcrum 44 will be substantially flush with the remainder of the cylindrical surfaces of the bifurcations 4|4| when the parts are in normal position. The diameter of the projecting portion of the stud 40 under the conditions referred to will be slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical aperture in the member 24 of the receptacle 2|.

When the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 is to be inserted into a receptacle such Vas the receptacle 2|, the wedgeshaped fulcrum member 44 will have a triple function. By reason of its friction against the cylindrical wall of the member 24 of the receptacle 2| said wedge-shaped fulcrum 44 will tend to move longitudinally toward the hand grip 22 and radially outwardly, having a wedging action against the` cylindrical wall of the member 24. Moreover, said wedge-shaped fulcrum member 44 will have a circumferential wedging action against the bifurcations 4|-4|, spreading them apart into good electrical contact with the cooperating wall of the member 24 of the receptacle 2|. In addition, said member 44 will act as an abutment-.whereby as the separable connecter 20 is inserted into the receptacle 2|, circumferential torsion-al stresses will be set up within the bifurcations 4|-4|, urging the outer walls of said birfurcations 4|-4| into efficient electrical contact with the cylindrical aperture within the member 24. When it is desired to remove the stud 40 from-the receptacle 2|, a pulling movement will be communicated to the hand grip 22,

whereby the wedge-shaped fulcrum member 44 will be moved longitudinally and radially to a position in which the outer surface thereof is fiush, or substantially flush, with the cylindrical Walls of the bifurcations 4I--4I and the stud 40 may be readily pulled out of the receptacle 2l. In the construction illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the normal diameter of the stud 40 may, if preferred, be less than the diameter of the cylindrical aperture in the member 24.

Referring now to the construction illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, a stud 41 is provided, split transversely to provide two bifurcations IIB- 48, separated by the slit 48a. Mounted Within said stud 41 is the longitudinally extending` fulcrum pin 4S, disposed preferably in sp-aced parallel relationship with the-axis of the stud 41, which fulcrum pin may be held against longitudinal movement with respect to the stud 41 by any preferred means. As illustrated, the fulcrum pin 49 is provided with the cross pin 5D, which cooperates with the stud 41 for holding said fulcrum pin 49 in position. The bifurcations 48-48 are provided with opposed half round surfaces 5 l-5i for bearing contact with the fulcrum pin 49. The outer cylindrical surfaces of the bifurcations 48--48 will have a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical hole in the member 24 of the receptacle 2|. When it is desired to insert the stud 41 within a cylindrical hole such as that in the member 24 of the receptacle 2l, a pushing movement will be communicated to the hand grip 22 whereby circumferential torsional stresses will be set up within the bifurcations 48-48 -about the axis of the fulcrum pin 49, whereby effective electrical contact will be had between the cylindrical surfaces of said bifurcations 48-48 and the wall of the cylindrical aperture in the member 24. In removing the stud 41 from the receptacle 2|, a pulling movement will be communicated to the hand grip 22, whereby said stud 41 may be readily drawn out of said receptacle 2|.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures ll and 12, the hand grip 22 has the stud 55 extending therefrom, which stud is longitudinally slotted for the reception of the longitudinally movable wedge 55. The slot for receiving the wedge 56 has its bottom inclined away from the axis of the stud 55 in the direction toward the hand grip 22. A spring 51 is provided for urging the wedge 55 away from the hand grip 22, whereby the wedge 56 projects radially only so far that its outer radial side surface is substantially flush with the cylindrical surface of the remainder of the stud 55. It will be understood, of course, that the-spring 51 may be omitted, if preferred. The diameter of said cylindrical surface will be substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindricalhole in the member 24 of the receptacle 2l. Said wedge 5S may be held in place by means of the nut 58, and a lock nut 59 may be provided for holding the nut 58 in place. The inner extremity of the wedge 56 may underlie a portion of the stud 55, to the end that the Wedge 5E is held against loss in service. In the construction illustrated in Figures 1l and l2 the projecting stud 55 is not bifurcated. In pushing the stud 55 into the member 24 of the receptacle 2i, the wedge 55, due to its friction with respect to the cylindrical wall of the member 24, will slide in its groove, and as said stud 55 is inserted further into the hole in the member 24, said wedge 56 will protrude beyond the cylindrical surface of the stud 55, presenting a tight fit. When the stud 55 is pulled out of the member 24, the wedge 56 will move to its extreme longitudinal position, wherein the outer surface of said wedge 56 is substantially flush with the cylindrical surface of the remainder of the stud 55.

Though certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifi-y cations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

' l. In connecter mea-ns, in combination, an elongated stud, said stud having a spacing slit disposed longitudinally there-of to provide bifurcations and having a longitudinal slot communicating with the` outer surface of said stud and with said slit, and fulcrum means of non-changing shape in operation in said slot for causing cir-- cumferential torsional stresses in said bifurcations When said stud is inserted into a hole of less diameter than the normal diameter of said stud, said fulcrum means being secured to and fori-.- ing with said stud an approximately cylindrical unit movable into and out of gripping relationship with a cooperating cylindrical socket.

2. In electrical connecter means, in combination, an elongated stud of approximately cylindrical contour, said stud having a slot communicating with its surface, a receptacle for receiving said stud, and a wedge-shaped member of non-changing shape in said slot for urging said stud into good electrical contact with said receptable, said wedge-shaped member being secured to and forming with said stud an approximately cylindrical unit movable into and out of gripping relationship with a cooperating cylindrical socket.

3. In electrical connecter means, in combination, an elongated stud of approximately cylindrical contour, said stud having a slot communieating with its surface, a receptacle for receiving said stud, and a wedge-shaped member in said slot for urging said stud intogood electrical contact with said receptacle, said wedgeshaped member being of non-changing shape in operation and being wedge-shaped in both longitudinal and transverse section with respect to the cylindrical contour of said stud.

4. In an electrical connecter, in combination, a stud of approximately cylindrical contour, a receptacle for said stud, said receptacle having a cylindrical bore of slightly less diameter than the cylindrical contour of said stud, said stud being split longitudinally into a plurality of parts. and fulcrum means of non-changing shape carried by said stud for setting up circumferential torsional stresses in said stud when said stud is inserted into said aperture in said receptacle, said fulcrum means being secured to and forming with said stud an approximately cylindrical unit movable into and out of gripping relationship with a cooperating cylindrical socket.

5. In an electrical connecter, in combination, a stud of approximately cylindrical contour, a receptacle for said stud, said receptacle having a cylindrical bore of slightly less diameter than the cylindrical` contour of said stud, said stud being split longitudinally into a plurality of parts, and fulcrum means of non-changing shape carried by said stud for setting up circumferential torsionalstresses in said stud when said stud is inserted into said aperture in said receptacle, said fulcrum means being wedge-shaped in conformation and being secured to and forming with said stud an approximately cylindrical unit movable into and out of gripping relationship with a cooperating cylindrical socket.

6. In an electrical connecter, in combination, a stud of approximately cylindrical contour, a receptacle for said stud, said receptacle having a cylindrical bore of slightly less diameter than the cylindrical contour of said stud, said stud being split longitudinally into a plurality of parts, and fulcrum means of non-changing shape carried by said stud for setting up circumferential torsional stresses in said stud when said stud is inserted into said aperture in said receptacle, said fulcrum means being Wedge-shaped in conformation in both longitudinal section and transverse section with respect to said stud.

7. In an electrical connecter, in combination, a stud of approximately cylindrical contour, a receptacle for said stud, said receptacle having a cylindrical bore of slightly less diameter than the cylindrical contour of said stud, said stud being split longitudinally into a plurality of parts, and fulcrum means of non-changing shape carried by said stud for setting up circumferential torsional stresses in said stud when said stud is inserted into said aperture in said receptacle, said fulcrum means comprising a fulcrum pin disposed between the split portions of said stud and being secured to and forming with said stud an approximately cylindrical unit movable into and out of gripping relationship with a cooperating cylindrical socket.

8. In connecter means, in combination, an elongated stud, said stud having a spacing slit disposed longitudinally thereof to provide bifurcations and having a longitudinal slot communicating with the outer surface of said stud and with said slit, and fulcrum means of non-changing shape in said slot for causing circumferential torsional stresses in said bifurcations when said stud is inserted into a hole of less diameter than the normal diameter of said stud, said fulcrum means being Wedge-shaped and being secured to and forming with said stud an approximately cylindrical unit movable into and out of gripping relationship with a cooperating cylindrical socket.

9. In connecter means, in combination, an elongated stud, said stud having a spacing slit disposed longitudinally thereof to provide bifurcations and having a longitudinal slot communicating with the outer surface of said stud and with said slit, and fulcrum means of non-changing shape in said slot for causing circumferential torsional stresses in said bifurcations when said stud is inserted into a hole of less diameter than the normal diameter of said stud, said fulcrum means being wedge-shaped both in transverse and longitudinal section with respect to said stud.

10. In connecter means, in combination, an elongated transversely collapsible stud having elongated bifurcations, said stud being provided with fulcrum means for setting up circumferential torsional stresses within said stud when said stud is inserted into a hole of less diameter than the normal diameter of said stud, said fulcrum means being of non-changing shape in conformation and being secured to and forming with said stud an approximately cylindrical unit movable into and out of gripping relationship with a cooperating cylindrical socket, said fulcrum means reacting against the wall of said socket and against said bifurcations.

1l. In electrical connecter means, in combination, an elongated stud of approximately cylindrical contour, said stud being slit longitudinally through a portion of its length to provide bifurcations, said stud having a slot communicating with its surface and with the slit between said bifurcations, and a receptacle for receiving said stud, said stud being provided with fulcrum means in said slot for setting up torsional stresses in said bifurcations whereby to urge said bifurcations into good electrical contact with said receptacle, said means being of non-changing shape in operation and being secured to said stud and movable with said stud into and out of gripping relationship with a cooperating cylindrical socket.

HERMAN BLEIBTREU.

CIK 

